Cellular radio routing system

ABSTRACT

A routing system of call connection and call routing for radio telephone communications system including cellular radio systems wherein the mobiles transmit on channels in a first band, and the bases transmit on channels in a second band. The routes are selectable from more than one possible route to a desired destination using routing tables to permit different destinations for different calls selectively based on telephone number indications. The system includes multiple blind nodes that do not support direct base to mobile communication. The blind nodes transmitting in the band used for transmission by the mobiles, and nodes receive in the band used for receiving by the mobiles such that the system performs in a limited number of bands of frequencies.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is the parent of a continuation reissue application filed on Apr.24, 2006, and accorded application Ser. No. 11/410,337.

The present application claims the priority date of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Serial No. 60/100074 filed on Sep. 14, 1998 in thename of Jerry R. Schloemer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application discloses improvements to U.S. Pat. No. 5,793,842issued to Jerry R. Schloemer and Leo J. Aubel. U.S. Pat. No. 5,793,842is incorporated herein by specific reference thereto. While the entirepatent '842 is incorporated herein by reference, FIGS. 1-11 and theassociated description are particularly pertinent to this invention. InU.S. Pat. No. 5,793,842 a method of connecting a call to a desired oneof several drops (destinations) was disclosed. An originating mobileunit contacts an originating base site to set up a call. The originatingbase site then routes the call towards the desired destination. Includedin this patent were the steps of combining route segments (links)between nodes (base sites) to make a longer route that would connect aninitializing base thru one or more nodes to a desired drop or exchangedependent upon the final call destination. Then, when a call isoriginated, the routing tables present in the nodes would route the callto the desired destination thru one or more nodes. Signal tointerference tests were used to assign interference free channels inboth the mobile to base and base to base communications. Because therouting literature, refers to nodes, and the cellular radio literaturerefers to base sites, and the functionality of the two technologies iscombined, the terms “base” and “node” will be used to refer to the samefunctional piece of equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein describes a system and method of wireless callrouting between various cell sites such that the optimum route back toone of several exchanges is chosen. Novel systems and methods of nodedesign, antennae selection, and switching to selected drops aredescribed.

The foregoing features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following more particular description of theinvention. The accompanying drawings, listed herein below, are useful inexplaining the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the current technology where the base sites are connectedto a common central switch. Although land lines are typically used, insome systems radio links are used;

FIG. 2 shows a base site being served by two different switches;

FIG. 3. Shows that adjacent base sites typically have good line of sightbetween them;

FIG. 4 Shows two base sites, and the corresponding patterns ofdirectional antennas;

FIG. 5. Shows the concept of a blind node routing communications in thesame band back to a central switch; and

FIG. 6 Shows the geographical area and system in an overview concept.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a large metropolitan area such as the Chicago, Ill. area, theinventive features described herein below can be combined in a singlesystem to enhance the total system operation. For example, if a nonresident long distance carrier owned the radio cellular systemdescribed, the combinations might be beneficial. In those few sites thatare located near the long distance carrier's long distance switch, thebase sites would be equipped with the relay closures as described belowto minimize the number of calls that were routed thru the localtelephone company. In sites located in the close in towns whereconsiderable traffic was anticipated, the radio routing features asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,793842 would be utilized in conjunctionwith the method of utilizing and assigning directional antennas toimprove spectrum efficiency. In sites located in the far towns wereradio congestion is not a problem, spectrum could be allocated to therouting function, and blind nodes would be utilized. An example of auser located in Deerfield, Ill. trying to contact a land line userlocated near Round Lake, Ill. is shown in FIG. 6. Only some of the cellsites are shown in the FIG. 6.

In land line telephony the present trend is to replace conventionalrelay closures and dedicated lines by packets of data that are routedalong common lines. In the application of the invention described hereinbelow, the inventive concepts can be utilized to support packet data.

Refer to FIG. 1 which shows the prior art or current technology. In thisprior art each radio is a duplex pair with a transmitter and receiver.Each radio has a circuit back to the cellular switch (or drop). Thedotted lines show the control channels. In many installations of thecellular and routing system described herein, wire lines are alreadypresent that wire (connect) the base sites to various exchanges andvarious drops. Because of the limited radio spectrum available, it isdesirable to use wire lines whenever they go to the proper destination,as the radio spectrum is too valuable to waste.

Refer to FIG. 2 which shows the inventive method wherein at base site Beach radio pair is wired to a relay at base site B that can be used toroute the call to either the drop 14 that is used for long distancecalls or the drop 15 that is used for local calls. Other base sites ofthe system would be similarly connected. Note, of course, that sites inlow usage areas would still be connected in the prior art manner.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, routes are createdautomatically as disclosed in referenced patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,793,842.In the referenced patent the system includes multiple nodes and linksbetween the nodes that are combined into routes that route calls to adesired drop. In another embodiment of the system explained herein, thebase site uses tables are manually loaded into the base site computerthat will control the routing destination. This alternate embodimentdoes not utilize multiple links thru multiple nodes, but just routescalls from a base site to a desired drop based on the desired exchange.In one utilization of this concept, wire lines are used from the basesite back to the various drops. A combination of both wire (land) linesand radio can also use these concepts to build a operational system.

Many cellular systems are built to a so-called the AMPS standard. TheAMPS standard comprises a series of precise protocols such thatdifferent manufacturers products will work together in a common manner.In AMPS systems, various base sites are given a limited number of radiosthat transmit and receive only on specific paired frequencies. Whereas atotal cellular system might have hundreds of paired radio channels, agiven base site might have only 30 different radios. Each of these 30different radios transmits and receives on a specific frequency pairthat is carefully chosen to avoid co-channel interference with adjacentcell sites; each of these 30 radios was hard wired back to a switchwhich utilizes a circuit that supported a duplex conversation. Theswitch contains the logic to connect the radios into the land linetelephone system, record information for billing purposes, and alsocontrol handoff. For explanation purposes consider a simple system withonly two drops. These drops correspond to the switches in a conventionalAMPS cellular system. Consequently, there is a need for 30 duplexcircuits leaving the base site going to the first drop and another 30circuits going to the second drop.

A method of connecting any of these 30 different radios to any of the 60different output circuits would be to install a switching matrix of size30 by 60 which might involve up to 1800 relays, or else an expensivecomputerized switching machine to handle up to 30 simultaneous duplexaudio transfers. A computer/switching system at each base site thatstores routing tables, that controls the routing decisions, and alsocontrols the actual connections back to the various drops could be used.

Refer to FIG. 2 which shows the inventive method of implementation therouting concepts in above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,793,842 byutilizing a simpler method of call connection. The concept is based onthe premise of avoiding complexity at the base site, and letting therouting computer at the base site make only routing decisions, and passall the remaining complexity back to the various drops. The routingcomputer consequently only need to make a routing decision and theappropriate connection.

In the inventive system there is a signaling channel and when a call isbeing set up, the various messages are sent over the air thru thesignaling channel, and then this signaling channel is routed directlyback to the cellular switch. The present invention routes the signalingchannel thru the base site computer. The base site computer does notalter the contents of the signaling messages, but only records the calldestination for the remote user. The base site computer brings thesignaling message into its memory. The base computer then compares thecall destination (area code and exchange) with a pre-stored table in thecomputer to determine the drop that should handle the call. Then thecomputer retransmits the signaling message to the desired drop. In thesimple case of a two drop system, there is a single relay that canswitch the output of the computer to the signaling circuit of eitherdrop.

Each of the 30 circuits from the radios in the base site goes to asingle relay (30 relays in total) that will send the call along to thedesired drop. In FIG. 2 the box indicated as R depicts 30 differentrelays each controlling a duplex circuit to either the local callcellular switch or the long distance cellular switch. It should beunderstood that the number 30 not limiting, but only chosen as anexample. Each relay will have a choice of only two circuits. Forexample, radio number 16 can only be connected to line 16 back to drop Aor radio number 16 can only be connected to line 16 back to drop B.Consequently, the required cross bar is replaced with a simple computerthat controls 30 audio channel relays and 1 switching channel relay. Theaudio channels do not go thru the computer which greatly simplifies thedesign of the computer. The base site computer only has to perform thestraightforward function of decoding the signaling messages to retrievethe desired telephone exchange, and utilizing that information to closethe appropriate relays.

In some instances the drops choose the next available radio in sequenceto handle the call. However, most systems have a method of monitoringbefore assignment, and when it is desired to install a system withoutmodification of the drop logic, one could easily indicate by variousmeans that the channel was noisy, if it were being used by the alternatedrop, etc. For a further explanation of the inventive concept, referfirst to FIG. 1 that depicts a portion of a prior art cellular radiosystem. There are four base sites shown in FIG. 1. Base site A has onlythree radios and three duplex circuits back to the switch. Base site Aalso has a control channel shown as a dotted (dashed line) back to theswitch. Base site B has only two radios, and the two duplex circuitsback to the base site are shown. The control channel is shown as adotted (dashed line).

Refer to FIG. 2 which depicts the embodiment of the system for base siteB only. In this showing there are two potential drops in the system andlocal telephone calls are being routed to the first drop. Long distancecalls are being routed to the second drop. This embodiment is useful fora long distance company that owns a local cellular system and permitsthe cellular operator to limit the number of companies involved in thecall completion process.

FIG. 2 shows that only thirty relays are required at base site B to makethe system operational, instead of the prior art 30 by 30 matrixswitching circuit. One is able to implement the system with only thirtyrelays that close the two voice circuits and the control channel circuitas appropriate.

The foregoing leaves the matrix switching apparatus in the drop, andpermits a selection of drops by simple connect and disconnect switchinghardware at the node.

The present invention includes another important improvement to theconcepts disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,793,842. The improvement relatesto the method of choosing antennas for base to base communications. Baseto base radio paths in a cellular system typically have good propagationcharacteristics. It is known that the insertion of obstructions in thepath of a radio signal cause significant shadows that greatly reduce thereceived signal strength. In many instances it is very difficult totransmit radio signals thru tall buildings and around the curvature ofthe earth. Refer to FIG. 3 that shows that base sites must havesignificant height with respect to the curvature of the earth in orderto permit a hand off zone for the mobiles operating in the cellularsystem. If two base sites are positioned such that they have goodoverlapping coverage to supply a good radio signal to a mobile, it thenusually follows that those two base sites have good line of sightbetween each other.

It is also known in cellular radio that using sectoring antennas at basesites to direct signals to and from mobiles accomplishes two importantthings. The first is that the desired signal level is increased whichoffers better communication. The second is that spectrum efficiency isimproved in that antennas only radiate in one direction, andconsequently, radio waves are spread in only one direction. The methoddescribed herein below uses actual signal strength measurements toassign antenna patterns.

In the method of radio routing described herein, advantages of bettersignal quality and also better spectrum utilization occur whendirectional antennas are added to the base sites to help the radiorouting function between base sites. In this embodiment, six differentantennas, each of sixty degrees are mounted to improve the radio routingfunction. Each antenna has specific radios attached directly to theantenna. The initial routing tables explained in referenced U.S. Pat.No. 5,793,842, are modified to take into account these differentantennas. For example, table II in Col 8 which is reproduced below ismodified as will be explained.

TABLE II Time Slot No. User of Slot 1 L001 (Located in Round Lake) 2L002 (Schaunburg) 3 L003 (Evanston) 4 L004 (Glenview) 5 L005 (Lisle) 6L006 (Libertyville) . . . . . . 27 L027 (Antioch) . . . . . . 1001 1001(Peoria node) . . . . . . 1133 1133 (Lincolnshire node) 1188 1188(Libertyville node)

The Lincolnshire site, #1133, depicted above becomes six different sitesin the routing process as follows:

Lincolnshire #1133-A First Antenna

Lincolnshire #1133-B Second Antenna

Lincolnshire #1133-C Third Antenna

Lincolnshire #1133-D Fourth Antenna

Lincolnshire #1133-E Fifth Antenna

Lincolnshire #1133-F Sixth Antenna

The Libertyville site, #1188, becomes six different sites in the routingprocess, as follows:

Libertyville #1188-A First Antenna

Libertyville #1188-B Second Antenna

Libertyville #1188-C Third Antenna

Libertyville #1188-D Fourth Antenna

Libertyville #1188-E Fifth Antenna

Libertyville #1188-F Sixth Antenna

Table II has base site numbers and corresponding time slots, the tableis now expanded to include 6 different time slots for the Lincolnshiresite, and 6 different time slots for the Libertyville site. (If theGrays Lake site had only two 180 degree antennas, that it would haveonly two time slots for its use)

Consequently, when the Libertyville site transmits on the first antenna,it is transmitting in its first time slot. When the Libertyville sitetransmits of the second antenna, it is transmitting in its second timeslot. When the Lincolnshire site listens to the various time slots, itlistens on all of its directional antennas. (Actual physical locationsand compass directions are not utilized.) Consequently, there are atotal of 36 different possible links between Libertyville andLincolnshire that could be utilized if Lincolnshire desired to contactLibertyville to route a call. These 36 different possibilities are addedto the table at the Lincolnshire site, as the Lincolnshire site listensto Libertyville. In fact, a northern pointing Libertyville site, mightnot even be heard by the southern pointing Lincolnshire site. In fact, awestern pointing Lincolnshire site might not hear an eastern pointingLibertyville site.

Consequently, in real world operation, the Lincolnshire site might onlyhear 14 of the possible 36 combinations, and might only record these 14into its initial routing table. Refer to FIG. 4, which depicts 60 degreeantennas and their corresponding position. For example, Lincolnshiresite 1133-C might not hear Libertyville site 1188-F, and this wouldnever be entered into the table. Lincolnshire site 1133-E might hearLibertyville Site 1188-B with the strong signal strength and that wouldbe added to the table. In fact, that particular combination wouldprobably end up the strongest path, and that would be the final entry inthe table. The creation of the table is dynamic and totally automatic.Instantaneous signal strengths are utilized. However, the Lincolnshiresite, immediately after listening to Libertyville, eliminates the weakercombinations. There is no reason to keep the weaker signal paths betweenthe two base sites. Although this process initially includes numerouspossible propagation links, these are immediately reduced in the tables,and the tables remain the same length. The only final addition to thetables at each base site is the antenna that it should use fortransmission, and the antenna that each site should use for receiving,in the case that these two sites need to create a communication path.

Following is a more specific representation of a portion of thetransmissions made by the Libertyville node as previously shown in andTable XII of U.S. Pat. No. 5,793,842 as shown below.

TABLE XII 1188 Land node number 546 Prefix 3 Links 32 Signal Strength

The first line in the following table represents the transmission fromthe first sectoring antenna, the second line represents the transmissionfrom the second sectoring antenna. The third, fourth, fifth, and sixthline are also respectively from the third, fourth, fifth, and sixthsectoring antenna.

NEW TABLE XXX Node Prefix Links Signal Strength 1188-A 546 3 42 1188-B546 3 42 1188-C 546 3 42 1188-D 546 3 42 1188-E 546 3 42 1188-F 546 3 42

Referring to Table XII, the weakest signal strength in the route to 546was 32 Db over the threshold. However, because of increased antenna gainin both the transmitting and receiving antennas along the various linksto Round Lake exchange 546, the minimum signal strength is now 42 Db.

Now, the Lincolnshire node receives each of the above six transmissionat six different antennas. The following table is for the receivingantenna at node 1133-A. However, because the receiving antenna 1133-Apoints in a north northeasterly direction that is not directed towardsthe Libertyville node, only one signal is heard. This signal bounced offbuilding and came from 1188-B. It is a very weak signal

NEW TABLE XXXI Node Prefix Links Signal Strength New Sig. Str. 1188-B546 3 42 12

Following are the signals received at node 1133-B which points in aneasterly direction. Because 1133-B pointed in an easterly direction, itdid not receive any signal good signals, but did receive a very weaksignal from both 1188-B and 1188-C.

NEW TABLE XXXII Node Prefix Links Signal Strength New Sig. Str. 1188-B546 3 42 8 1188-C 546 3 42 5

The results at 1133-C, 1133-D not shown here, were also primarily weaksignals. However, we now show the received signals at 1133-E which is anantenna that is pointing somewhat in the direction of the Libertyvillenode.

TABLE XXXIII Node Prefix Links Signal Strength New Sig. Str. 1188-A 5463 42 5 1188-B 546 3 42 52 1188-C 546 3 42 50 1188-D 546 3 42 18 1188-E546 3 42 2

The results from the receiving antenna 1133-F were as follows.

TABLE XXXIV Node Prefix Links Signal Strength New Sig. Str. 1188-A 546 342 5 1188-B 546 3 42 40 1188-C 546 3 42 38 1188-D 546 3 42 9

Before any other calculations are made, the node at Lincolnshire, node1133 immediately goes thru the above tables for each receiving antenna,and leaves only the choice with the best received signal strength fromall of the tables. Antenna 1133-E received the strongest transmissionfrom site 1188-B as noted in the above tables at 52 Db over threshold.Consequently, only this transmission is carried forward as follows:

TABLE XXIV Node Prefix Links Signal Strength New Sig. Str. Antenna1188-B 546 3 42 52 1133-E

Additional calculations are performed as explained previously to finishthe routing calculations. It was the intent above only to show howdirectional antennas are added into the system. Later, when Lincolnshirenode number 1133 desires to contact Libertyville node number 1188 toplace an actual call, Lincolnshire will know which antenna to use fortransmission, and it will know which antenna to contact at theLibertyville site.

The aforementioned process of utilizing 60 degree antennas will enhancespectrum utilization by about a factor of six. Only small sectors areilluminated when creating usable links for a specific conversation. Inthe dynamic channel assignment process that occurs when setting up anactual call, the reduced interference received from remote conversationswill enhance the number of usable channels. The desired signal strengthis enhanced because of the directional antennas, and the undesiredsignal is decreased because the base sites are perhaps using antennasthat do not point towards the base site in question.

A further optional improvement can be added for even greater spectrumutilization. Steerable arrays are well known. Such arrays create narrowbeams utilizing a series of small antennas to which the phases of thesignals are adjusted. When Lincolnshire and Libertyville are incommunication, this additional known technology will focus both thetransmitting and receiving beams less than 60 degrees to further enhancespectrum efficiency and further enhance signal to noise performance.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,793,842 discloses a system where multiple bands areutilized to perform the different types of communication. For example,base to mobile communications occur in the traditional mobile to basebands, and node to node communications can occur in the new Multipointbands. In large metropolitan areas where it is desired to maximize theamount of mobile to base communication, such a band allocation is verydesirable. However, a novel re-arrangement of the existing base (node)to mobile channels and existing mobile to base (node) channels providesan improvement which is more practical in sparsely populated areas andin third would countries.

The invention described herein can be utilized in various ways, and thefollowing three applications disclose alternate methods and bandallocation.

Highly congested cellular systems such as systems in Chicago, Miami,etc. etc. Low density application of cellular radio as found in Idaho,Nebraska, etc. etc. Third world countries where cellular is used insteadof land line phone systems.

In highly congested cellular systems such as one finds in Chicago,Miami, and other high populated places, spectrum for node to mobile andmobile to node will be highly utilized, and the band utilization methodssuggested in this embodiment will have limited application. However, fornew systems in Chicago and Miami, the methods suggested in thisembodiment would have value until usage to grew to a congested amount.For systems designed for the third world, the spectrum load will not besignificant, and the methods of this embodiment will be useful. Forsystems designed for low density applications, the spectrum load willnot be significant, and the methods of this embodiment will be useful.

One of the technical problems that is solved in cellular radio is theproblem of permitting the mobile unit to both talk and listensimultaneously. This same problem is encountered at the base site. Partof the solution to this problem lies in the method of band assignment tocellular radio. Cellular radio systems are divided into two differentbands, and these bands are not next to each other. It is this bandseparation that permits the delicate receiver to operate in the presenceof a booming, in comparison, transmitter. If the transmitter andreceiver were close to each other in frequency, the problems of duplexoperation would increase, and the cost would also increase.

To utilize the existing cellular bands to perform the repeater functionis an attractive alternative, but one that must be approached under thelimitation that at any one location, the separation of the two cellularbands must be maintained.

The method to utilize the existing bands of cellular frequencies, is tomake blind nodes. The new method is consistent with the odd and evennodes disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,793,842. Alternate nodes in a routemust transmit and receive on alternate frequencies. For example, if anode transmits on channel 17, the next node in the route must listen onchannel 17. This requirement led to the even and odd nodes as describedin said patent. In the new method, this node differentiation ismaintained, but a novel feature is added as is explained herein below.In this method, half of the node sites would be inoperable with respectto direct mobile to node operation. This would correspond to the oddnodes being blind to node to mobile operation. The odd nodes in effectbecome inoperable for base to mobile communications. These odd nodeswould be operable for routing or node to node communication. These nodeswould be “blind” to the operation of the remotes and mobiles. However,since these nodes would not serve the existing remotes, they wouldutilize the bands of frequencies in the identical method used for theremotes. In this method, the signaling channel that is already presentto set up the node to mobile operation is used with different codes toalso set up the routes and the channel assignment from normal nodes thrublind nodes to create the routes. In this particular utilization of thecellular bands, Table I of '842 which had a total of 10 different bandsis reduced to the two bands as explained below. In the table below thesignaling channel is one of the channels in the appropriate band.

Normal Blind Bandflocation Mobile Node Node Drop Mobile TransmitTransmits Receives Transmits Transmits Band Mobile Receive ReceiveTransmits Receive Receive Band

In the above greatly simplified table, the normal base (node) operationand the normal mobile operation occur quite as in a conventionalcellular system. However, the normal base (node) can also talk directlyto a drop that is configured exactly like a mobile. However, the normalnode would utilize multiple channels, and the drop would also utilizenormal channels. In this method, the talking and receiving problems thatare created in a single band are avoided.

The signaling channel will be highly utilized, but relief is provided byaccomplishing the route creation process only at night when the systemis not highly utilized. In smaller systems, the amount of routingmessages is not significant, and the system performs satisfactorily.

This band allocation option permits the normal node to transmit to anyone of a number of drops that would be in range. However, the normalnode could also utilize blind nodes to repeat the calls to anothernormal node that would create a route. The above table of frequencyallocations permits a simple installation where there are no blind nodesand the normal nodes can transmit to any number of drops that might bewithin radio range. This simple installation could be later expanded bythe addition of blind nodes that would only serve in a repeaterfunction.

The advantage of easy of manufacturing, limited bands and theelimination of potential licensing problems, and simplified systemdesign are obvious for this approach.

Refer to FIG. 5. In this figure, Mobile A is in a conversation that isrouted to the indicated exchange. Also, Mobile B is in a differentconversation that is also routed to the same exchange.

-   -   Mobile A initially transmits on channel A which is in the Mobile        to Base Band    -   Message is re-transmitted on channel B which is in the Base to        Mobile Band    -   Message is re-transmitted on Channel C which is in the Mobile to        Base Band    -   Message is re-transmitted on Channel D which is in the Base to        Mobile Band    -   Exchange initially transmits on channel E which is in the Mobile        to Base Band    -   Message is re-transmitted on Channel F which is in the Base to        Mobile Band    -   Message is re-transmitted on Channel G which is in the Mobile to        Base Band    -   Message is re-transmitted on Channel H which in the Base to        Mobile Band    -   Simultaneously, Mobile B is transmitting on Channel I in Mobile        to Base Band    -   Mobile B is receiving on channel J which is in the Base to        Mobile Band.        -   (The connection of Mobile B to the Exchange is not shown)

In FIG. 5, Mobile B is shown in normal communication with Base C invicinity of the Blind Node. The required band separation to achieve fullduplex operation is maintained at the Blind Node, at Base C, and atMobile B. Both the routing and base to mobile communications aresatisfactorily carried out in the same set of bands.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in forms and details madebe made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. In multi-node, multi-remote radio telephone systems, a method of callconnection and call routing between said multiple nodes comprising: a)using destination number designations and routing tables to selectdifferent routes for different calls; b) utilizing directional or beamantennae for communications between said nodes; c) providing a first setof beams from a first node, and providing a second set of beams from asecond node, a beam from the first node and a beam from the second nodecomprising a pair; d) measuring the signal strengths created by pairs ofbeams; and e) selecting a beam pair between different nodes with thehighest signal strength, for communications by eliminating beam pairsthat have the weaker signals, whereby the multi-nodes comprise basesites, repeaters, and exchanges, wherein the exchanges may be are fromdifferent radio telephone systems.
 2. In a multi-node, multi-remoteradio telephone communications system including cellular radio systemswherein the mobiles transmit in a first band and receive in a secondband, and the bases transmit in said second band and receive in saidfirst band, a routing system of call connection and call routingcomprising the following: a) routing tables to permit differentdestinations for different calls selectively based on telephone numberindications; b) multiple blind nodes, each of which comprises acombination of a repeater and routing tables, said blind nodes usingsaid routing tables to selectively communicate with base sites requiredto establish the selected routes; c) said blind nodes transmitting inthe band used for transmission by the mobiles; d) said blind nodesreceiving in the band used for receiving by the mobiles; and e) eachsaid selected route comprising a path that alternates between blindnodes and bases; whereby the entire system performs in a limited numberof bands of frequencies.
 3. A radio communications system including aplurality of individual nodes capable of distribution arbitrarilyrelative to each other, said nodes being controllable independent of acentral computer separate from said nodes, each said node comprising:transmitting apparatus for transmitting radio signals to other saidnodes and receiving apparatus for receiving said radio signals fromother said nodes; circuitry for using said radio signals to establishradio links between plural pairs of said nodes; and routing circuitryfor using said radio signals to assemble selected said links into aradio communication route between an originating node and a destinationnode, said route including plural said links, wherein at least one ofsaid nodes is a directional node including: at least one of (i)directional transmitting apparatus for transmitting directional radiosignals associated with respective different directions and (ii)directional receiving apparatus for associating received radio signalswith respective different directions from which they are received; andselection circuitry for establishing a said selected link with anothersaid node using said radio signals transmitted from said directionaltransmitting apparatus or received by said directional receivingapparatus.
 4. A system as in claim 3, wherein said directionaltransmitting apparatus, comprises plural transmitting devices, each ofwhich transmits a said directional radio signal associated with apredetermined spatial sector of the area around said node.
 5. A systemas in claim 3, wherein said directional receiving apparatus comprisesplural receiving devices, each of which associates a said received radiosignal with a predetermined spatial sector of the area around said node.6. A system as in claim 3, wherein: at least one said directional nodeincludes said directional transmitting apparatus and said directionalreceiving apparatus; said directional transmitting apparatus includesplural transmitting devices, each of which transmits a said directionalradio signal associated with a predetermined spatial sector of the areaaround said node; and said directional receiving apparatus includesplural receiving devices, each of which associates a said received radiosignal with a predetermined spatial sector of the area around said node.7. A system as in claim 6, wherein each said directional transmittingdevice comprises a directional transmitting antenna, and each saiddirectional receiving device comprises a directional receiving antenna.8. A system as in claim 7, wherein each said spatial sector comprises aportion of the entire area surrounding said directional node.
 9. Asystem as in claim 7, wherein at least one said directional transmittingantenna or one said directional receiving antenna comprises a steerablearray antenna that is associated with a portion of a corresponding saidspatial sector.
 10. A system as in claim 3, wherein said directionaltransmitting apparatus transmits said directional radio signals indifferent time slots and said directional receiving apparatus receivessaid received radio signals in different time slots.
 11. A system as inclaim 3, further comprising: a first said directional node with a saiddirectional transmitting apparatus including a plurality of directionaltransmitting devices, each capable of transmitting a different saidradio signal associated with a predetermined spatial sector of the areaaround said first directional node; and a second said directional nodewith a said directional receiving apparatus including a plurality ofdirectional receiving devices, each capable of distinguishing adifferent said radio signal associated with a predetermined spatialsector of the area around said second directional node, wherein saidselection circuitry establishes said selected links using one of saidtransmitting devices and one of said receiving devices.
 12. A system asin claim 11, wherein said selection circuitry establishes a selectedsaid link between said first and second directional nodes.
 13. Adirectional node for use in a radio communications system including aplurality of nodes capable of distribution arbitrarily relative to eachother, said nodes being controllable independent of a central computerseparate from said nodes, each said node including transmittingapparatus for transmitting radio signals to other said nodes, receivingapparatus for receiving radio signals from other said nodes, circuitryfor establishing radio links between plural pairs of said nodes, andcomputer means for assembling selected said links into a radiocommunication route between an originating node and a destination node,said route including plural said links, wherein: said directional nodecomprises at least one of (i) directional transmitting apparatus fortransmitting directional radio signals associated with respectivedifferent directions and (ii) directional receiving apparatus forassociating received radio signals with respective different directionsfrom which they are received; and said computer means in saiddirectional node establishes a said selected link with another said nodeusing said radio signals transmitted from said directional transmittingapparatus or received by said directional receiving apparatus.
 14. Adirectional node as in claim 13, further comprising detecting circuitryfor detecting the strength of said radio signals received from othersaid nodes, wherein said computer means uses said signal strength toestablish said links and said computer means in said directional nodeestablishes a said selected link with another said node depending on thestrength of said radio signals transmitted from said directionaltransmitting apparatus or received by said directional receivingapparatus.
 15. A directional node as in claim 14, further comprising: asaid directional transmitting apparatus including plural transmittingdevices, each of which transmits a said directional radio signalassociated with a predetermined spatial sector of the area around saidnode; and a said directional receiving apparatus including pluralreceiving devices, each of which associates a said received radio signalwith a predetermined spatial sector of the area around said node,wherein said computer means in said directional node establishes saidselected links using said directional transmitting device that transmitsthe strongest radio signal received at another said node and saiddirectional receiving device that receives the strongest radio signaltransmitted by another said node.
 16. A directional node as in claim 15,wherein each said directional transmitting device comprises adirectional transmitting antenna, and each said directional receivingdevice comprises a directional receiving antenna.
 17. A directional nodeas in claim 16, wherein each said spatial sector comprises a portion ofthe entire area surrounding said directional node.
 18. A directionalnode as in claim 16, wherein at least one said directional transmittingantenna or one said directional receiving antenna comprises a steerablearray antenna that is associated with a portion of a corresponding saidspatial sector.
 19. A directional node as in claim 13, wherein saiddirectional transmitting apparatus transmits said directional radiosignals in different time slots and said directional receiving apparatusreceives said received radio signals in different time slots.
 20. Adirectional node as in claim 13, wherein said computer means establishesa selected said link with another said directional node in said system.21. A radio communications system including a plurality of individualnodes capable of distribution arbitrarily relative to each other, saidnodes being controllable independent of a central computer separate fromsaid nodes, each said node comprising: transmitting apparatus fortransmitting radio signals to other said nodes and receiving apparatusfor receiving said radio signals from other said nodes; circuitry forusing said radio signals to establish radio links between plural pairsof said nodes; and routing circuitry for using an actual radio parameterof said radio signals to assemble selected said links into a radiocommunication route between an originating node and a destination node,said route including plural said links, wherein at least one of saidnodes is a directional node including: at least one of (i) directionaltransmitting apparatus for transmitting directional radio signalsassociated with respective different directions and (ii) directionalreceiving apparatus for associating received radio signals withrespective different directions from which they are received; andselection circuitry for establishing a said selected link with anothersaid node using said actual radio parameter of said radio signalstransmitted from said directional transmitting apparatus or received bysaid directional receiving apparatus.
 22. A system as in claim 21,further comprising: a first said directional node with a saiddirectional transmitting apparatus including a plurality of directionaltransmitting devices, each capable of transmitting a different saidradio signal associated with a predetermined spatial sector of the areaaround said first directional node; and a second said directional nodewith a said directional receiving apparatus including a plurality ofdirectional receiving devices, each capable of distinguishing adifferent said radio signal associated with a predetermined spatialsector of the area around said second directional node, wherein saidselection circuitry establishes said selected links using one of saidtransmitting devices and one of said receiving devices.
 23. A system asin claim 22, wherein said selection circuitry establishes a selectedsaid link between said first and second directional nodes.
 24. A radiocommunications system including a plurality of individual nodes capableof distribution arbitrarily relative to each other, said nodes beingcontrollable independent of a central computer separate from said nodes,each said node comprising: transmitting apparatus for transmitting radiosignals to other said nodes and receiving apparatus for receiving saidradio signals from other said nodes; circuitry for using said radiosignals to establish radio links between plural pairs of said nodes;circuitry for detecting the strength of said radio signals received fromsaid other nodes; and routing circuitry for using the strength of saidradio signals to assemble selected said links into a radio communicationroute between an originating node and a destination node, said routeincluding plural said links, wherein at least one of said nodes is adirectional node including: at least one of (i) directional transmittingapparatus for transmitting directional radio signals associated withrespective different directions and (ii) directional receiving apparatusfor associating said radio signals with respective different directionsfrom which they are received; and selection circuitry for establishing asaid selected link with another said node depending on the strength ofsaid radio signals transmitted from said directional transmittingapparatus or received by said directional receiving apparatus.
 25. Asystem as in claim 24, further comprising: a first said directional nodewith a said directional transmitting apparatus including a plurality ofdirectional transmitting devices, each capable of transmitting adifferent said radio signal associated with a predetermined spatialsector of the area around said first directional node; and a second saiddirectional node with a said directional receiving apparatus including aplurality of directional receiving devices, each capable ofdistinguishing a different said radio signal associated with apredetermined spatial sector of the area around said second directionalnode, wherein said selection circuitry establishes said selected linksusing one of said transmitting devices and one of said receivingdevices.
 26. A system as in claim 25, wherein said selection circuitryestablishes a selected said link between said first and seconddirectional nodes.
 27. A radio communications system including aplurality of individual nodes capable of distribution arbitrarilyrelative to each other, said nodes being controllable independent of acentral computer separate from said nodes, each said node comprising:transmitting apparatus for transmitting radio signals to other saidnodes and receiving apparatus for receiving said radio signals fromother said nodes; detecting circuitry for detecting the quality of saidradio signals received from said other nodes; circuitry for using saidradio signals to establish radio links between plural pairs of saidnodes; and routing circuitry for assembling selected said links into aradio communication route between an originating node and a destinationnode, said route including plural said links, wherein each said link ofsaid route comprises a radio signal of a higher quality than the qualityof said radio signal within any other potential radio communicationroute between said originating node and said destination node, whereinat least one of said nodes is a directional node including: at least oneof (i) directional transmitting apparatus for transmitting directionalradio signals associated with respective different directions and (ii)directional receiving apparatus for associating received radio signalswith respective different directions from which they are received; andselection circuitry for establishing a said selected link with anothersaid node depending on the quality of said radio signals transmittedfrom said directional transmitting apparatus or received by saiddirectional receiving apparatus.
 28. A system as in claim 27, furthercomprising: a first said directional node with a said directionaltransmitting apparatus including a plurality of directional transmittingdevices, each capable of transmitting a different said radio signalassociated with a predetermined spatial sector of the area around saidfirst directional node; and a second said directional node with a saiddirectional receiving apparatus including a plurality of directionalreceiving devices, each capable of distinguishing a different said radiosignal associated with a predetermined spatial sector of the area aroundsaid second directional node, wherein said selection circuitryestablishes said selected links using one of said transmitting devicesand one of said receiving devices.
 29. A system as in claim 28, whereinsaid selection circuitry establishes a selected said link between saidfirst and second directional nodes.